Conclave

CONCLAVE (12)

D: Edward Berger

Black Bear / FilmNation / Indian Paintbrush / House (Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael Jackman, Alice Dawson & Robert Harris )

UK/US 🇬🇧🇺🇸 2024

120 mins

Drama/Thriller

W: Peter Straughan [based on the novel by Robert Harris]

DP: Stephane Fontaine

Ed: Nick Emerson

Mus: Volker Bertelmann

PD: Suzie Davies

Cos: Lisy Christl

Ralph Fiennes (Cardinal Thomas Lawrence), Stanley Tucci (Cardinal Aldo Bellini), John Lithgow (Cardinal Joseph Tremblay), Sergio Castellitto (Cardinal Goffredo Todesco), Lucian Tsamati (Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi), Carlos Diehz (Cardinal Vincent Benitez), Isabella Rossellini (Sister Agnes)

A film about the election of a new pope may not sound particularly engaging, but, for the most part, Edward Berger’s 2024 political thriller is mesmerising viewing, thanks to taut direction, a good screenplay and an impressive array of performances from its fine ensemble cast.

Ralph Fiennes plays Thomas Lawrence, a Cardinal at the Vatican who has lost has faith, but must oversee the election of a new leader to the Catholic Church when the predecessor passes away, but when the vote is split, various scandals come to pass and factions form between a conservative Italian traditionalist and more liberal choices.

I have to admit that I found some of the social messaging is quite heavy-handed, especially in its depiction of the devoutly conservative cardinal, Goffredo Todesco, who is quite a deeply unpleasant character with virtually no redeeming qualities. It also becomes quite predictable as to whom the choice will be, simply because of the writing theory of “Chekhov’s Gun” existing, which would have been fine enough were it not for a final scene which feels as though it were from a different movie entirely.

Nevertheless, there’s much here to be impressed by, from the performances of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow & Isabella Rossellini, to the cinematography, production design, costumes and music. 

More enthralling than it was expected to be, for sure, but I’d be unlikely to revisit it for repeat viewings.

7/10